Save your sight: simple tips for continued eye health

14/Jun/2017

Get your check-ups booked in

Regular eye check-ups can substantially benefit the condition of your eyes. Experts recommend that every person should have a comprehensive dilated eye examination before the age of 40, and continue to have a yearly check-up from then on. Many eye related diseases such as glaucoma and diabetic eye disease can only be detected by comprehensive dilated eye examinations, proving how important these regular check-ups are.

Eye examinations are not only important to determine your eye health, but can also give an indication into any other possible health issues you may be having. Plutus Health offers a Personal Health Plan Service for their clients that allows you to claim the costs of an eye test, glasses and contact lenses.

Don your shades

One of the most effective ways of maintaining healthy eyes is to wear protective eyewear. It is common knowledge that exposure to UV rays can deteriorate your eyes; however, it is important to remember that your eyes need to be protected from more than the sun alone. From avid sport enthusiasts to factory workers, people need to take into consideration the effect certain activities can have on their eyes.

Cycling enthusiasts, in particular professional road cyclists, can often expose their eyes to all sorts while riding. From gravel to insects, wearing protective eyewear can ensure their eyes are safe during long journeys. As most protective eyewear is made out of a material that is more than ten times stronger than normal plastic, wearing these type of glasses can protect your eyes from a great deal.

Keep screens at a distant

With a study by the Council of Research Excellence showing the majority of adults spend up to 9.5 hours a day in front of a screen – be it a computer, tablet, television or phone – medical experts are advising people to stay an arm’s length away from their screens, in an attempt to lower the risk of eye damage. The constant glare of an electronic screen can result in eyes straining, or in some more severe cases, computer vision syndrome. This can include dizziness and headaches among other symptoms. The key is, especially if you’re in a job that requires you to stare at a screen all day, to limit how much time you watch TV or look at your tablet screen in the evenings or on weekends.

Contact care

Contact lens wearers will have a routine with their lenses that is individual to them, fitted around their daily schedule. But with the rush of daily life, are you using and cleaning your contact lenses properly? The fact is contact lenses are exposed to an increasing amount of bacteria, while your eyes can often feel the strain from wearing lenses frequently. Cleaning properly and giving your eyes enough of a break, for instance wearing glasses once a week, will keep your eyes in good health.

Update your eye make-up

Constant make-up application around your eyes can lead to increased sensitivity, while reusing the same make-up tools on a daily basis can lead to bacteria growing. Regular product application around your eyes can interfere with the eye oil glands, which help protect the eyes surface. It is advised that you get rid of your favoured mascara after three months and sharpen your eyeliner pencil regularly to avoid bacteria spreading.

Brush up on family eye history

It’s important to know if any of your family has previously been diagnosed with a disease or eye condition, as so many can be hereditary. You can then share this information with your optician who will be able to determine if you’re at a higher risk for developing an eye disease. If they have had a condition in the past, don’t panic – it’s always better knowing in advance, then any possible preventative measures can be taken.